Apparatus for adjusting the slice opening of a papermaking machine headbox

ABSTRACT

A DEIVCE FOR ADJUSTING THE SLICE OPENING OF A PAPERMAKING MACHINE HEADBOX, COMPRISING A TURNBUCKLE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A THREADED ADJUSTING ROD SECURED TO THE UPPER LIP OF THE SLICE OPENING AND A TURNBUCKLE SLEEVE MEMBER THREADEDLY ENGAGING THE ADJUSTING ROD WHICH IS ROTATED TO VERTICALLY MOVE THE ADJUSTING ROD TO IMPART AN ADJUSTING MOVEMENT TO THE UPPER LIP OF THE SLICE OPENING. THE TURNBUCKLE SLEEVE IS SUPPORTED BY A SUPPORT MEMBER UPON WHICH IS CONNECTED A HOUSING HAVING A NECK PORTION EXTENDING IN THE DIRECTION OPPOSITE THE SUPPORT MEMBER, AND WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE HEADBOS. A DIAL GAUGE MICROMETER IS POSITIONED WITHIN THE HOUSING, AND A PROJECTING STEM FROM THE MICROMETER ENGAGES THE END OF THE ADJUSTING ROD OPPOSITE THE END CONNECTED TO THE SLICE LIP TO VISUALLY INDICATED THE DEGREE OF ADJUSTING MOVEMENT IMPARTED TO THE SLICE LIP RESULTING FROM TURNBUCKLE SLEEVE ROTATION.

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F. J. GEDEMER ET AL 3,575,799 APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING THE sLIcE OPENING 0F A PAPERMAKING MACHINE HEADBOX Filed July l5, 1968 AQ' v United States Patent 3,575,799 APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING THE SLICE OPEN- ING OF A PAPERMAKING MACHINE HEADBOX Fred I. Gedemer and .lames F. Lux, Appleton, Wis., as-

signors to Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company,

Milwaukee, Wis.

Filed July 15, 1968, Ser. No. 744,996 Int. Cl. D21f 1/02 U.S. Cl. 162-263 7 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A device for adjusting the slice opening of a papermaking machine headbox, comprising a turnbuckle assembly including a threaded adjusting rod secured to the upper lip of the slice opening and a turnbuckle sleeve member threadedly engaging the adjusting rod which is rotated to vertically move the adjusting rod to impart an adjusting movement to the upper lip of the slice opening. The turnbuckle sleeve is supported by a support member upon which is connected a housing having a neck portion extending in the direction opposite the support member, and which is connected to the headbox. A dial gauge micrometer is positioned within the housing, and a projecting stem from the micrometer engages the end of the adjusting rod opposite the end connected to the slice lip to visually indicated the degree of adjusting movement imparted to the slice lip resulting from turnbuckle sleeve rotation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to the headbox of a papermaking machine and more particularly to a device for adjusting the slice opening of the headbox, and to the cornbination of such a device with the headbox of a papermaking machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART In order to produce at high speed a web of paper having uniform character across its entire width, the dilute stock is carefully discharged from a slice opening across the front and at the bottom of the head box. The slice opening is dened by an upper lip and a lower lip, each extending across the entire width of the headbox. The upper lip is usually connected to and forms a part of the front wall structure of the headbox and the lower lip is usually connected to and forms a part of the bottom structure of the headbox. The weight of the paper stock within the headbox is carried by the bottom structure and tends to cause the bottom structure, including the lower lip of the slice opening, to deflect downwardly. Such deflection makes it necessary to adjust the upper lip to maintain the desired discharge. Also, adjustment of the upper lip is sometimes required in order to compensate for variations in the stock ow to the headbox. It is known to provide devices for adjusting the upper lip of the slice as shown, for example, in United States Patent No. 3,135,654 issued to A. E. H. Fair on lune 2, 1964.

It is an object of the present invention to provide in combination with a headbox of a paperrnaking machine an improved device for adjusting the slice opening through which the paper stock is discharged.

It is another object of the invention to provide in cornbination with the headbox of a papermaking machine a device for adjusting the position of the upper lip of the slice opening which can be very precisely adjusted to any desired position.

It is another object of the invention to provide in cornbination with the headbox of a papermaking machine a ice device for adjusting the slice opening which includes an indicating means which can be easily visually inspected to obtain an indication of the precise adjustment of the upper lip at the location of the given adjusting device.

It is still another object of the invention to provide for use with the headbox of a papermaking machine an adjusting device for the upper lip of the slice opening which may be precisely adjusted and which provides a reading and indication of the adjustment which may be made a matter of written record for future adjustment of the slice opening.

In achievement of these objectives, there is provided in accordance with this invention a headbox for a papermaking machine including a slice opening, together with a novel device for adjusting the upper lip of the slice opening comprising a turnbuckle assembly including an adjusting rod secured to the upper lip of the slice opening and a turnbuckle sleeve member which is rotated to vertically move the adjusting rod to impart an adjusting movement to the upper lip of the slice opening. An important feature of the construction is the provision of a dial gauge micrometer including a projecting stem or spindle which is moved by movement of the adjusting rod to impart a corresponding movement to the operating mechanism of the dial gauge micrometer, whereby the degree of adjusting movement is visually indicated on the face of the micrometer.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. l is a schematic sectional view showing the connection of the slice opening adjusting rod to the upper lip of the slice opening on the head box of a papermaking machine;

FIG. 2 is a view in front elevation of the headbox of the papermaking machine of FIG. l, showing several of the slice opening adjusting devices in position;

FIG. 3 is a view in front elevation of the adjusting device of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a view in vertical section of the slice opening device of FIG. l; and

FIG. 5 is a view in section along line V-V of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to FIG. l, there is generally indicated at 10 the headbox of a papermaking machine including a bottom structure 12, side walls 14, and a front wall generally indicated at 16, including an upper front wall section 18 and a lower front wall section 20. The lower section 20 of the front wall 16 connects to an inclined upper lip 21 which cooperates wtih a lower lip 22 which projects from the forward end of the bottom structure 12 to dene a slice opening 24 through which the dilute paper stock is discharged from the headbox 10 onto the endless Fourdrinier wire 26 which passes around the breast roll 28.

As previously mentioned, it is necessary to adjust the slice opening 24 for various reasons, especially to compensate for variances in the stock flow through the slice opening 24 which may be caused by changes in stock ilow to the headbox or by deflections in the members 16, 21 or 22. The headbox and the slice opening thereof may be very wide, as, for example, 200 inches or more in width, and it may be necessary to make varying adjustments at diiierent locations along the width of the slice opening.

As best seen in FIG. 2, a plurality of slice opening adjusting rod assemblies generally indicated as 30 are respectively pivotally connected at the upper ends thereof to a support 32 carried by the front wall 16 of headbox 10. Support 32 may be stationary, but preferably is mounted to provide a gross vertical adjustment of the position of the upper lip 21. The adjusting rod assembly 3() provides a iine adjustment of the position of upper lip 21 and comprises a rod 33 which is pivotally connected at 34 to upper lip 21. Rod 33 is threaded intermediate its length as indicated at 36.

A turnbuckle sleeve 38 is coaxially positioned about the intermediate and upper portion of rod 33, including the threaded portion 36 thereof. Turnbuckle sleeve 38 is provided with internal threads which cooperate with the external threads 36 on rod 33. A radially extending threaded passage 37 is provided in the turnbuckle sleeve 38 and a nylon plug 41 is positioned in the radially inner portion of the radial passage 3-7 and bears against the threads 36 on rod 33. A set screw 43 is received in passage 37 and may be tightened suiciently against nylon plug 41 to eliminate backlash between the cooperating threads on rod 33 and on the turnbuckle sleeve. The turnbuckle sleeve 38 is provided with a neck portion 42 of reduced diameter to dene a shoulder 44 at the junction between the lower end of neck portion 42 and the main body portion 45 of the turnbuckle sleeve 38.

A support member 46, which serves as a combined turnbuckle bearing and micrometer housing support, is coaxially positioned about the neck portion 42 of turnbuckle sleeve 38. Support member 46 is provided with an axial passage 48 of just slightly larger diameter than the outer diameter of the neck portion 42 of turnbuckle sleeve 38, this axial passage 48 defining a bearing surface for the neck portion 42 of the turnbuckle sleeve 38. Turnbuckle sleeve 3S is provided with a handle 39 to facilitate rotation thereof.

A snap ring t] is positioned in a circumferential groove in the upper end of neck portion 42 of turnbuckle sleeve 38 and overlies the radially inner portion of the upper end surface of support 46 to prevent axial movement of support 46 relative to neck portion 42.

A housing generally indicated at 52 is provided for a dial gauge micrometer generally indicated at 54. Housing 52 includes a hollow base portion S6 which is rigidly secured to support 46 by suitable fastening means such as screws 58, and a body portion 60 provided with a cavity therein for receiving the dial gauge micrometer 54. Dial gauge micrometer 54 includes a linearly movable stem 62 which projects downwardly through a suitable passage extending between the body portion 60 and the base portion 56 of the micrometer housing 52, the stem projecting into the hollow space 64 provided in base portion 56. The upper end of stem 62 is in operative engagement with the internal mechanism of the dial gauge micrometer, whereby movement of the stem 62 causes av corresponding indication by the dial of the dial gauge micrometer. Stem 62 is spring loaded to have a firm and permanent contact with adjusting screw 66 which is received in a threaded passage in the upper end of rod 33. Adjusting screw 66 constitutes an adjustable extension of rod 33. Adjusting screw 66 may be moved to any position within the threaded passage at the upper end of rod 33 to obtain the desired base reading of dial gauge micrometer 54. The adjusting screw 66 is of a vibration-proof type, such as Nylock, or alternatively is constructed to utilize a lock nut or other device to minimize chance of undesired movement of the screw. A removable plug member 70 is provided in base portion 56 of the micrometer housing to permit access to adjusting screw 66.

The upper end of the dial gauge housing 52 is provided with a reduced neck portion 72 which is pivotally connected at 74 to the support 32.

It can be seen that if it is desired to provide a ne vertical adjustment of the upper lip 21 of slice opening 24 in either an upward or a downward direction, the turnbuckle sleeve 38 is rotated by means of handle 39 to thereby cause a linear movement of adjusting rod 33 in either a vertically upward or downward direction, depending upon the direction of rotation of the turnbuckle sleeve, which imparts a corresponding movement to upper lip 21 of slice opening 24. Any movement of adjusting rod 33 is imparted to the projecting stem 62 of the dial gauge micrometer, since there is a tirm contact between the upper end of rod 33 and the stem 62, through the adjusting screw 66. The linear movement of stem 62 thereby actuates the internal mechanism of the dial gauge micrometer to provide a reading or indication by a movable indicating pointer on the dial of the dial gauge micrometer. Dial gauge micrometers are well known per se and any suitable type of dial gauge mircometer may be used, such as that manufactured, for example, by Federal Products Corporation.

Since the upper lip 21 may be quite wide and may extend for example for as much Ias 15 feet or more in width, a plurality of the adjusting rod assemblies 30 are preferably provided at closely spaced points along the upper lip 21. Since upper lip 21, While made of metal, is of a flexible nature, independent adjustments may be made as required on the individual adjusting rod assemblies 30 to provide the desired stock discharge at the Various points along the width of the slice opening 24.

It can be seen from the foregoing that there is provided in accordance with this invention a device for adjusting the slice opening of the headbox of a papermaking machine which can be very precisely adjusted to any desired position and which provides a visual indication of any given adjustment which may be made a matter of record for future adjustments of the slice opening.

While there has been shown and described a particular embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modilications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and therefore, it is aimed to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An adjusting rod assembly for the stock discharge slice opening of the headbox of a paperrnaking machine, said assembly comprising a linearly movable threaded rod connected at one end thereof to one of the lips deiining the slice opening, a rotatable turnbuckle sleeve coaxially positioned about said rod and threadedly engaged therewith whereby rotational movement of said sleeve is eiective to linearly move said rod to adjust said one lip, a support member defining a bearing for an end of said sleeve, a housing for a dial gauge micrometer mounted on said support member, a dial gauge micrometer positioned within said housing, said housing having a neck portion extending beyond said dial gauge micrometer in a direction opposite said support member, said dial gauge ,micrometer including a stem projecting therefrom and engaging an end of said rod opposite the end of said rod which is connected to said one lip, whereby linear movement of said rod is imparted to said stem, movement of said stem being effective to provide a reading on the dial 0f said dial gauge micrometer, said neck portion of said housing being connected to a point supported by said headbox.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 in which said housing is formed with a hollow space at the end thereof facing said support member, said stem projecting into said hollow space and engaging said rod in said space.

3. The combination dened in claim 2 in which said rod is provided with an adjustable extension and said housing is provided with an access opening to said space to permit adjustment of said extension.

4. In combination, a headbox for a papermaking machine, said headbox including means defining a stock discharge slice opening including a lower lip and an upper lip, 'an adjusting rod assembly for adjusting said slice opening, said assembly comprising a linearly movable threaded rod connected at one end thereof to one of said lips, a rotatable turnbuckle sleeve coaxially positioned about said rod and threadedly engaged therewith whereby rotational movement of said sleeve is effective to linearly move said rod to adjust said one lip, a support member defining a bearing for an end of said sleeve, a housing for a dial gauge micrometer mounted on said support member, a dial gauge micrometer positioned within said housing, said housing having a neck portion extending beyond said dial gauge micrometer in a direction opposite said support member, said dial gauge micrometer including a stem projecting therefrom and engaging an end of said rod opposite the end of said rod which is connected to said one lip, whereby linear movement of said rod is imparted to said stern, movement of said stem being effective to provide a reading on the dial of said dial gauge micrometer, and means connecting said neck portion of said housing to said headbox.

5. The combination defined in claim 4 in which said housing is formed with a hollow space at the end thereof facing said support member, said stem projecting into said hollow space and engaging said rod in said space.

6. The combination defined in claim 5 in which said rod is provided with an adjustable extension and said housing is provided with an access opening to said space to permit adjustment of said extension.

7. The combination defined in claim 4 in which said rod is connected to said upper lip of the slice opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,779,253 1/1957 Owens 162-263X 3,463,701 8/1969 Curtis 162-347 2,556,761 6/1951 Keene 33-166X S. LEON BASHORE, Primary Examiner R. H. TUSHIN, Assistant Examiner U.S. C1. X.R. 33-167; l62-347 

